Since he didn’t seem likely to return my greeting, I cleared my throat and set one hand on Steve’s shoulders. “We’re going into Magiford. I have some paperwork I need to drop off at the Curia Cloisters.”
He blinked. “You are the Night Queen. Send one of your employees.”
“Ahaha, it’s not quite that simple.” I waggled my folder at him as Muffin affectionately butted her head against my thigh. “I need to renew my registration as a half fae half human. If I don’t get it submitted correctly there could be trouble.”
“And you don’t trust your people to do it?”
I shrugged. “It’s important. And while I’m sure Skye or Indigo could do it, they might be bothered by other fae.”
He watched me for several long moments, the darkness of his eyes completely unreadable.
I fidgeted and took one side step closer to the giant garage that my truck was parked in.
Is he done? Can I leave, or do I need to say something else to him?
“I’ll come with.”
My stomach did this fun flippy thing it does when my anxiety spikes. “You’llwhat?”
“I’ll come.” Rigel passed me, ghosting toward the garage with soundless steps.
I gawked at his back for a moment, then hurried to catch up. “But I was also going to stop at my favorite café and get some coffee—and go to the library.”
Rigel glanced at me as I caught up to him. “The library?”
“I have a bunch of books about leadership on hold and ready for me to pick up.”
“And you didn’t just buy them?”
“Yeah, because it’sfreeto borrow them from the library.”
Rigel stared me down. “You’re concerned about buying books after all the money you spent on last night’s party?”
“Yes, Mr. Judgy, I am! You might not know since no one ever tried to drag you into the political muck due to your…previous career, but the Night Court is dead broke! I have to be economical where I can. And don’t think I won’t impose budget cuts on you, too. Even if you are pretty!” It was when I finished my ramble that I realized I might have gone a little too far in my teasing.
I hunched my shoulders and watched Rigel for any signs of murderous thoughts. But he just tapped the keycode for the garage door into the keypad and waited for the door to rise.
When the door was only half open, he ducked under. “Are you coming?”
“Yes! Yep! I’m coming.” I slipped under the door, Steve and Muffin following me. “We’re taking my truck, if that’s okay? I told Azure she could have the morning off since she had to drop off a few guests after last night’s party.”
The rising door shed sunlight on the cars tucked inside the massive garage, and the Porsche Azure had taken out in the early morning was parked, a sure sign my chauffeur had returned.
I should set my accountants on selling some of these cars.
“Your truck is fine.” Rigel’s voice shook me from my money schemes.
“Great. Hop in—though it’s going to be tight. Steve and Muffin sit in the back bench seat, but whenever I park they like to crawl into the front seats.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Just watch out for Steve—she likes to lick people.”
“Of course.”
* * *
My tripto the Curia Cloisters was stress-free—particularly after Rigel got bored waiting for me in the hallway and entered the office area I’d gone into to get my paperwork processed.
